About

Great stories deserve care, context, and community…

We're Lonnie Frazier and Francisca Zapata, filmmakers and impact producers who lead Field Notes Impact together. Between us, we bring years of experience in filmmaking, outreach strategy, and production, and a shared love of helping independent films reach their audiences.

We approach our work with curiosity and a deep respect for the stories filmmakers are sharing with the world. Our role is to listen closely, understand what a film needs, and find the paths that will carry it to the people who will care about it most.

  • Field Notes Impact is led by Lonnie Frazier and Fran Zapata. Lonnie is an impact producer and documentary filmmaker with over 15 years of experience as a filmmaker and more than a decade supporting independent films through impact work, academic outreach, and community engagement. Fran is a filmmaker and impact producer with nearly a decade of experience in film production and operations, and has helped lead the impact campaigns for award-winning films like Loving John and Between the Mountain and the Sky.

    We bring firsthand experience as creatives who have directed, produced, and walked the independent film path. We understand how much care goes into making a film, and how important it is to find audiences who will engage with it.

    Our team is grounded in collaboration and respect for your work. We believe films are strongest when they reach the people they were made for.

    We work together on research, outreach, and project-specific needs, collaborating closely with one another and with filmmakers to keep the approach clear and aligned with the stories we're supporting.

  • We help independent films find their people by starting with listening…listening to the film, the filmmaker, and the audiences the story hopes to reach. From there, we shape thoughtful, flexible pathways that support connection.

    The work adapts to each film and its moment. Whether a project is just beginning its outreach or entering a new chapter, we focus on approaches that feel authentic, sustainable, and true to the story being told.

  • We work with independent filmmakers and mission-driven films that are seeking meaningful connection with audiences. This includes projects at different stages of their journey…whether a film is just beginning its outreach, building momentum through screenings and partnerships, or entering a new chapter of engagement.

    The films we work with are often rooted in social, cultural, or educational themes, and benefit from thoughtful outreach in academic, community, and public spaces. Above all, we love to work with filmmakers who value collaboration, care, and a relationship-centered approach to sharing their work.